Georgia School District Takes Proactive Approach to Security

“Mainly with the number of school shootings that have happened, we’re just trying to be extra vigilant," District superintendent David McCurry said. “And in the event that something does happen, we’re prepared.”

District superintendent David McCurry told WTVM9 that when it comes to student safety, it’s important to be proactive rather than reactive.

“Mainly with the number of school shootings that have happened, we’re just trying to be extra vigilant," he said. “And in the event that something does happen, we’re prepared.”

The district is implementing extra security precautions.

The exterior and interior magnetic doors on campus can only be opened from the inside, by office staff. The front office has bulletproof glass, there are domed mirrors on the ceilings to increase visibility and there are dozens of surveillance cameras throughout the district’s campuses.

The district also has its own police department, with officers stationed at each school.

“Anytime the students are here, we are here," said David Bucher, Chief of Police for the Chattahoochee School District.

The officers’ duties include patrolling the hallways, interacting with students and conducting emergency drills.

“We conduct three to four drills a year,” Bucher said. “We want to see how the students react. We want to see how the staff members react. Then, I can look at that and say, ‘Okay, as the Chief, I need to make adjustments to our plan.’”

Bucher said Chattahoochee County Schools is always trying to improve safety and security.

“You can never do enough," Bucher said. "These are my kids. I got 900 kids in the district. They’re all mine.”